A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
